I have very mixed feelings about all of this. Usher attended the Pencils of Promise gala several days ago, and he ended up bidding on a special item during the charity auction. That item? A designer dog – a Goldendoodle puppy. Goldendoodles are those Golden retriever-poodle mixes that a lot of people want for whatever reason. Anyway, Usher ended up winning the puppy with a $12,000 bid (outbidding Jessica Szohr’s $11,000 bid). Well, the money goes to Pencils of Promise, which is totally a worthy cause and that’s great. But I can’t help but think… $12,000 for a designer dog?! REALLY? Usher knows there are thousands of dogs in need in shelters, right?

Usher sure has expensive taste! Attending the Oct. 25 Pencils of Promise gala in New York City, the singer and new Voice mentor outbid former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr in order to take home an adorable — and coveted — Goldendoodle puppy.

A cross-bred dog that is a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle, Usher’s new pet came with a price tag of $12,000 — money that goes to the Justin Bieber-endorsed organization that builds schools in impoverished nations. (Not to be ignored, Szohr bid an impressive $11,000 in an attempt to take the animal home, according to reports.)

“Poppy Raymond is what I’m think of namin’ her . . . however there are two gregarious 3- and 4-year-olds that will have the last say — and the responsibility that comes with her,” the singer, 34, tweeted after taking home the animal, referring to his two sons, Usher Raymond V and Naviyd Raymond, who will likely be bowled over by their dad’s latest purchase.

Donating funds to adopt a new pet wasn’t the only kind gesture Usher made at the event. The “Numb” singer also donated a private dance lesson as an auction item. Following a bidding war between Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun — the brother of Pencils of Promise founder Adam Braun — and two families in attendance, Braun let the families take the prize after they each bid $65,000 for the lesson.

Poppy Raymond? Because she’s kind of poppy-colored? I guess. Alright, that’s a cute name for a dog, and it does sound like it’s something kids would come up with. Have we ever discussed the fine art of animal-naming? I love giving my animals extravagant names, even when I was a little girl. I had a crazy cat named Zelda Fitzgerald and a sweet kitty named Princess Isabella (we called her Izzy). Right now my dog goes by like ten different names!

Anyway… yeah. I’m not a huge fan of designer dogs and I don’t understand why people don’t just get rescues. But considering it was for charity… I am going to cut Usher some slack. I guess.

113 Responses to “Usher paid $12,000 for a Goldendoodle puppy at a charity auction: ridiculous?”

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Ridiculously CUTE! Of course there are dogs in shelters in need of homes – so nobody was supposed to bid on this dog in protest of the shelter dogs? And it’s not like he outright paid $12,000 for the dog – the money was for charity.
And I don’t look down upon people who don’t get their dogs from shelters. I have allergies and have to be picky with the breeds I live with — Usher may be in the same boat.

100% agree. I understand there are dogs in need of good homes that are in shelters but those dogs were not at this charity event. That being said was this dog to go unnoticed because Usher and the rest of the attendees should have went to a shelter instead? It’s for charity and I would rather see him spend his money bidding on a beautiful pet then spend it on some ridiculous over priced luxury car, painting, clothing etc….

Plus he has two sons I’m sure that’s who he had in mind when he bid on the pup.

The idea of adopting from a shelter is great but doesn’t always work. We visited the shelter many, many times looking for a dog to fit our needs. We needed a low shedding dog for my son with asthma (a mixed breed would be great), and one that was used to kids. We never found one. My daughter and I even paid to take a volunteer class and volunteered at the shelter to help out and aquatint ourselves with the dogs coming in. A hypoallergenic dog that is used to kids is hard to find and the shelter said those dogs, when they do come in, go fast. So, it didn’t work out for us. We ended up getting a Cavachon, half Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and half Bichon Frise, a designer breed, whom we love. Mixed breeds have “hybrid vigor” and we also are able to get a dog that has some of the great characteristics of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with very little shedding because he’s also half Bichon Frise. There are lots of reasons to get a “designer” dog and getting a shelter dog does not always work out. I feel like shaming everyone for getting a puppy from a breeder may be the politically correct thing to do but is actually one sided and a bit narrow minded.

I applaud you in your efforts to find a shelter dog. I tried as well, but with 2 cats and 2 kids, one of whom has asthma, we needed something specific, as well as being a puppy. Puppies in shelters are VERY hard to find here. I think it’s better to find the right dog for you and commit to it for 12+ years than to make a mistake. FYI, our cats are from shelters (one is going on 20 now) and we adore them.

next time expand your search from physical shelters to rescue organizations. I volunteer for one and like many of the non-breed specific rescue groups in my area, we have a variety of dogs (all pulled from high kill shelters, abuse/neglect cases or owner surrenders) that are fostered in the homes of our volunteers. We know whether are dogs are good with other dogs, what personality of dogs they may have a problem with, whether they’re good with cats/kids, etc. We also house train them if necessary and do as much training and socialization with them as we can. BTW – cavaliers aren’t hyopallergenic in any way, the dogs that are low shed/low dander are the bald ones and the ones that have hair instead of fur (poodles, maltese, bichons. etc.)

Usher has small kids and shelter dogs are not always right for families with small kids. The Humane Society in my area won’t let you adopt one of their dogs if you have kids under 5. I got a cocker from a cocker rescue group and she has behavior problems that would make her unsuitable to be around little kids.

i have one “designer dog” and one rescued dog. My rescue dog turned out to be THE. best. dog. EVER but i got her when she was 14 weeks old and know so many who have had major issues with shelter /rescue dogs.

The issue isn’t with him, it is with this charity auctioning live animals. There are plenty of other items that could be auctioned. Ebay won’t allow this and I work with a rescue that has managed to get charities to change their minds on this. People bid in a feel-good moment and then get stuck with an animal they may, in hindsight, just not be ready to care for. Puppies are a big commitment and shouldn’t be an impulse buy.

If he paid that from a breeder then yes i would think less of the purchase of a pet. But since the money is charity I’m ok with it. I think it would be nice, since he is now a pet owner, if he got a shelter pet as well to show he supports this cause as well.

This ones tough for me. I give props to the charity, its a very worthy cause. What’s hard for me is there are so many equally amazing dogs that needs home. I got a rescue two years ago, and she in a lover. And she has also given my very sick mother love and they’re joined at the hip. She may not be a “designer dog.” But she is perfect as she is and a much loved family member.

aims says: This ones tough for me. I give props to the charity, its a very worthy cause. What’s hard for me is there are so many equally amazing dogs that needs home. I got a rescue two years ago, and she in a lover.
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I agree with you. It was for charity and it’s not like it went to a breeder. That said, we adopted a gorgeous little 3 year old mini dachshund 6 months ago from a shelter and she’s such a little sweetheart. My heart breaks for all the wonderful animals that need loving homes.

Im not going to bad mouth usher or anyone who doesn’t get a rescue. It’s a personal choice. When we decided we were going to get a dog, we felt, for us, that I couldn’t justify going to a breeder when there were dogs who needed homes. And I always tell people we didn’t pick her, she picked us. She came over and put her head in my lap, and it was a done deal. Honestly I have no idea what kind of breed she is and I really could care less. We love her so much and couldn’t imagine our family without her

Same here. I get most of my animals from shelters but I’m not going to dog-shame anyone who doesn’t.
Speaking of animal names, I’ve got two cats named Luna and Artemis and a dog named Sprite. There have been wackier ones over the years..

I’m with you (all of you). Shelter animals deserve every chance for a long, happy life. Breeder animals deserve the same chance, too, of course. But can you imagine how much different things could be if people tried their damnedest to find their perfect pet at a shelter/rescue before buying it off of a breeder? If no one was buying, the breeders would have to discontinue the practice.

Even if you want something specific, if you search long and wide enough, you WILL find what you are looking for at shelters/rescues.

A few years ago, I had my heart set on a purebred white boxer with distinctive markings. I scoured Petfinder (500 mile radius) for a month until I found the perfect rescue dog (who’d been found in an abandoned house with four other dogs). We drove three hours to adopt him, and it was so worth it. I’ve never loved anything so much in my life!*

I think one of the reasons that Goldendoodles are in demand is that they don’t seem to have an effect on people with dog/cat allergies. I’m 100000% in the corner of getting shelter dogs, but if you have allergies and still really want a dog, these are a good choice. I usually let goldendoodle owners slide on the shelter argument b/c chances are they or someone in the house is allergic.

You’re getting the benefit of both breeds with them. They’re beautiful dogs. My cousin has a standard poodle, and he’s just amazing, and we have a golden retriever/shepherd/lab mix. I can only imagine the mixture of the two would be a super sweet dog.

I completely agree. I’ve had really bad allergies to dogs all my life and all I ever wanted as a child was a dog. I’m now the proud owner of a beautiful goldendoodle and I have no allergic reaction to him whatsoever!

It`s a CHARITY! Why don`t people focus on that? Does it matter if it`s for a ( insanely cute ) puppy or just a plain check? Not to me. Good for him he can afford it and it`s very generous of him to do it! He did something great and he has an adorable puppy!

The German Sheperd we owned before his untimely passing was not from a shelter, but he was a rescue. He never paid the breeder and abused the dog so she took him back and gave him to us. I worried that with the abuse e suffered he wouldn’t be a good dog around our kids. But he was perfect. Imagine a dog laying there patiently while a baby crawled over him and a little girl put sunglasses and a crown on him.
And both of my kittens were strays. One I rescued at target of all places.

Isa, Skipper is that way. She was obviously abused. If I raised my voice at even the tv or a book, she would tuck tail and piddle. It was bad. We’ve had her a year and a half, and she still does it sometimes, but for the most part, she has completely “recovered” (for lack of a better word). She’s the same way with the kids though. My 6 mo old LOVES her and crawls to her and pulls on her ears and tries to pull up on her, and she just lets it happen. My 5 year old constantly is laying on her snuggling, and they will both fall asleep tangled in each other. It’s so damn sweet <3

Once Kane got used to us he wasn’t afraid anymore. But it was sad at first be would just lay in the corner. And he was very skinny. We had to take him to the vet bc he had awful dandruff and hair falling out. Once he was better he was so incredibly beautiful and smart. He got on my nerves sometimes but he was a good dog.

I had two dogs in my life and they came from shelters. Unless you have some allergies I’d suggest the rescue dogs.
BUT: this was a charity evening if instead of a dog, he made an offer for I don’t know a designer chairs or stuff like that, it wouldn’t even be a news.
To me it’s far way worst when a breed becomes a trend, as it happened with Dalmatians dogs.

The money goes to charity. If he paid $12K for a dinner prepared by Emeril would that be a problem?.There are millions of people at homeless shelters or eating at food banks.How could a person spend that much on a meal.Same thing IMHO

Eh. I’m in the mindset of spending your money the way you want. I plan on buying a dog from a breeder. A legit, non puppy mill breeder, but a breeder still. BUT I also plan on adopting a greyhound at some point. And I plan to get my next cat from a shelter. Where I’m from, we have VERY few dogs in our shelter. We have a lot of cats though.

The thing with this was that he didn’t just pay 12k for a dog. He paid 12k for a charity event where he also received a dog for his donation.

It’s not like he bought the puppy just for the pleasure to buy a puppy, it’s for a charity cause so I can’t say a bad thing. Because it’s a bit unfair, he spends for a good cause it’s “there are dogs shelters around” or further more if he adopts a child abroad it’s like “there are orphans around in the US..” anyway as long as the intention is for a good cause…for he and any other celebs will be criticized anyway. Oh well..!

Besides Paris Hilton spends an insane amount of money on her accessory dog and it’s for no charity at all eh..

Don’t know why you are making such a fuss about it in your article. It’s not as if he went to a breeder and paid $12,000 for the puppy, it’s all for charity. And like someone on one of the comments wrote he has children so it’s not as if the puppy is this little celebrity accessory.

Why is everyone suppose to get a rescue dog? Does it make you a better person? Do we all have to adopt a child instead of having one also? Each to their own, and all the money was for charity!! We have the half brother to Usher’s new puppy, it is one of the sweetest most well behaved dogs. He will not regret his large donation!

1. You guys realize that there are no allergy-free dogs, right? Just dogs that shed their coats less often and so contribute less dander. 2. You can adopt poodles etc. from rescues. 3. FYI: Goldendoodles etc. are mutts, there are NOT breeds. You can’t breed 2 goldendoodles and get goldendoodle puppies.

While what you have said is true, the ‘hypo-allergenic’ breeds do make it possible for people to have dogs. They offer a low enough dander/allergen contribution that people don’t get sick. My uncle gets really sick around cats, and his wife’s sisters dog. Their standard poodle doesn’t make him sick.

Not all shelters have poodles and other dogs like that. I have never seen a poodle or poodle mix in the shelter in my town. It’s probably easier in big cities, but small towns don’t generally have as wide of a range of adoptable dogs.

And yes. They are not breeds. They are just as much of a mutt as any other dog, except a lot of mutts tend to be ‘accidents’ or the act of the ‘backyard breeders’. These are purposely bred, and in a lot of cases are well bred. But like any other dogs, there are a lot of people who shouldn’t be breeding them.

THIS. I don’t care if it’s a Labradoodle, a maltipoo, a yorkiepoo, or what have you…it all boils down to the fact that they are MUTTS. I love my mutt! I think it’s awesome Usher gave that money to charity, but I would never spend the $300 people want for a malipoo (no matter how damn cute it was), when I can go to the shelter and get an awesome doggie that isn’t guaranteed a home for $50

Ugh… boyfriends sister talked the family into getting a “Morkie” MalteesexYorkie.

They paid SIX HUNDRED for that dog. It’s ridiculous. I refuse to call it any cutesy name. It’s a sweet dog, but it was a ridiculous decision. But she NEVER hears the word no. And she ended up paying for more than half. But STILL. To give them credit though, all their other dogs have been shelter dogs.

I’ve adopted pure strays, kittens of strays, and a cat from the SPCA. Ironically my cat from SPCA is, in my view, more damaged than all the previous strays. She’s terrified of children and flinches at times. She is still an amazingly loving cat and I would go to the SPCA again to get another cat.

Sadly my neighbor adopted a dog from the shelter and…shakes head. Its not as cute a story. The dog was aggressive to the point of it being dangerous. It gave the woman a lot of trouble and her daughters were struggling with it. It was very loving and friendly, but unfortunately it still had that past and wasn’t good around other dogs or strange people.

Sometimes shelter animals just don’t work for a family though many would love to help them. This lady tried her best, got a young one and fairly small but it didn’t work out.

His money, his business. People do not have a social responsibility to adopt their pets from rescue shelters. What people SHOULD be responsible for is once you get a pet, fix it, so it’s offspring do not wind up in shelters reducing the need and argument for people to adopt from shelters.

The designer dog beef, in this case, should be with the charity and not Usher. They are the ones who put together the items to be bid on — instead of soliciting a breeder for a designer dog, they could have easily asked a local shelter to provide a pet for the auction.

Shame on that shitty charity for auctioning off a live animal. Presumably, Usher, nor anyone else, came to that event because they had researched and really wanted an animal and had taken the time to set up their home to accommodate said animal. So it was nothing but an emotional, impulse purchase. I shudder to think if his children are even old enough to understand how to care for a dog, or how to treat one. Most likely, because they weren’t clamoring for a pet in the first place, they’ll get bored with the dog and then God knows what will happen. At the very best, the pup will end up being raised by an assistant or maid, and spending most of her time alone. Shame on everyone involved.

Sorry, but I work with animal shelters and do volunteer work, so I have a strong opinion about this.

I love the name Poppy, and while I don’t like the idea of getting a designer dog, I’m not going to hate on Usher. Let’s be honest, rescues take work. There’s a conscious choice to love this dog while it learns to love you. Patience, kindness, and earning a rescue’s trust take time. My dog Dan is a rescue pup, and he’s been the GREATEST dog ever-I’ve had him for 10 years (hard to believe), and he’s gone through boyfriends, moves, and now husband and baby, and he’s rolled with the punches, but there were times, especially in the beginning, when he has tried to bite out of fear, or been a problem because of his experiences in life. I’ve constantly worked to ensure him he’s loved, and now we always try to be the calm leaders in our house so he feels secure, but having a rescue requires that extra level of attentiveness and effort.

Now I have to go home and hug my puppy, who can’t really hear, can’t really see, and has arthritis in his hips, and thank him for being such a good companion all these years.

Kaiser, I think your anger is misdirected. Usher didn’t just go out and buy a designer dog for $12,000… The puppy was being auctioned anyway and the money went to a good cause. Besides, if it wasn’t Usher then you would have been writing about how Jessica Szohr won the bid for $11,000. This has nothing to do with designer dogs vs dogs in shelters.

I don’t understand the reasoning here at all. Are you against charity auctions of any kind or just this one because it involved pets? I just bought a ticket for a ball supporting a local youth group, is that ridiculous too since I could just eat at home? I’m really having trouble with your logic.

I wont badmouth him because it was for charity and I’m just glad he didn’t pay that much for a dog from a breeder or pet store. As long as people arent buying shelter dogs and cats then I’m cool with it. I understand it can be hard to find an animal that works for your family from a shelter. I love cats but I can’t just get any cat because I have bad allergies. I’ll probably have to get a Siberian from a breeder to have a little furry friend at home. However, I do volunteer and donate to a local no-kill cat rescue and I’m very dedicated to helping homeless animals. In other news, HAPPY NATIONAL CAT DAY!!

I don’t think he was wrong for bidding on the puppy, but I do think the charity was wrong for even auctioning off a live animal. I hope the puppy brings a bit of joy to his sons since I imagine they are still grieving from losing their step-brother and then all the issues with the court battle with mom/dad. Lots of changes for those boys lately.

My puppy is named Poppy (short for Popcorn), but my children did name her.

How many of you fools own designer or expensive clothes or shoes? Like a $100 shoes? Do you know how many homeless people you could’ve fed if your profligate butt had bought a $20 discount shoes instead?

Think about all those poor homeless people starving every day because you don’t shop at budget clothing stores. Shame on you! Are dogs more important than people? Will anyone think of the poor and the starving?!

Mike you’re not making any sense…if it’s HIS money and he can do anything with it,then if people want to buy expensive stuff its THEIR money and THEY can do anything with it. And don’t bother assuming I was offended by this,I earn less than portuguese mininum wage and I don’t buy clothes or anything superficial for about a year and yes,I’ve given up meals to give them to homeless people, which by the way are increasing day by day because politicials here are authentic criminals and nobody cares or does anything.

So what if he paid 12000? So what if the dog is from a breeder? So what if someone gets a dog from a puppymill? It’s their money and no one’s business.

And if puppymills are so bad, then the right way to deal with it isn’t to denigrate those who get through such channels, but to start a political campaign to legislate laws to clean up/close down such places. Furthermore, how many people who attack Usher for his profligancy have skipped on luxuries (designer clothes, ipad, spiffy electronics, etc) and helped out the poor instead?

Mike,I might have missunderstood you. I agree. I think he did a great thing actually, it’s for CHARITY and I think his dog is going to have a better life than many humans. People definetly should protest against puppy mills. I am always constantly protesting against everything I believe is wrong. The thing is many people prefer to keep their eyes shut to the world’s problems. It sure may be more comfortable to live like that,but for me ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is being a coward! I seem like an idealistic dreamer, maybe I won’t be anything else but that, but as long as I live, I will keep doing whatever I can to make this world a better place,even if I don’t have much to give.

@mike, I honestly think you phrased it best. Excellent points, and I tip my hat There are people who channel their empathy and passion toward the care of animals, and sometimes it seems like there are a lot more of them than those who would channel such energy toward helping people who are less fortunate. I think it’s harder to know how to help people, who often are the victims of bad decisions as much as bad circumstances, and it’s easy to see how blameless animals are in their situations. Anyway, your comment has me thinking that I need to step up, and think about what I’ve done for others lately.

I will say most goldendoodles I’ve seen are great pets. They are the typical “desginer” breed that looks cute but comes with a ton of problems. They shed very little and have overall sweet temperments (of course how you train and treat said pet makes a huge difference). Money was for charity. I’ve seen people spend 4000 dollars on a puppy … I think it’s ridiculous but I’m a big believer of people spending their money how they want and not being preachy.

It doesn’t seem ridiculous for a charity auction. If he’d bought directly from a breeder and paid that much, yes, it would be ridiculous, but like this? No. It was for a good cause, and let’s just hope the sweet little doggy has a good forever home.

Unfortunately, people believe the simplistic faulty sales hype that crossing two purebreds of different breeds “cancels out” the genetic faults present in either. No, it doesn’t. And arguments for hybrid vigor don’t cut it for me either when many breeders can’t seem to do a basic mendel square if asked and pass off weak immune systems and neurotic behaviors as “normal” in their breeding lines. I’m never keen on animals as charity auction objects, but I suppose this pup may fair better as an impulse buy than Mercy Kat-trashian.

Unfortunately, people believe the simplistic faulty sales hype that crossing two purebreds of different breeds “cancels out” the genetic faults present in either. No, it doesn’t. And arguments for hybrid vigor don’t cut it for me either when many breeders can’t seem to do a basic mendel square if asked and pass off weak immune systems and neurotic behaviors as “normal” in their breeding lines. I’ve no objection to the money spent but am never keen on animals as charity auction objects, but I suppose this pup may fair better as an impulse buy than Mercy Kat-trashian.

I just feel like buying a designer dog in such a high profile way for such a huge amount of money is good advertising for breeders, which are often awful, and even if they are very humane they take away homes from animals that truly need them.
I don’t blame usher, though. It should have never been auctioned in the first place.

The same generous breeder donated another dog last year to this charity! Usher was in a bidding war last year for the puppy. He went there this year knowing he wanted this puppy. It wasn’t an impulse buy!!!! While these dogs are no where near worth 12 grand, they are an amazing line of dogs. I have one! Everyone is missing the purpose of the charity event. He gave 12 grand so children can have an education and got an amazing pet for his family out of it. How dare people rip on this charity for anything!

Yah I have a “designer” dog too…she is a “golden collie”??? (Part Golden Retriever/part Border Collie) Idk she is a gorgeous rescue my family adopted from the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society. Ushers money goes to a good cause and all but I’m with you…donate to and/or adopt from a shelter!! My baby girl was adopted for a nominal fee and I can tell you that she is loved by everyone! She is a beautiful dog with an even more beautiful heart. I wish more people would remember shelter animals.

I think it’s totally fine Usher paid 12K on a dog – the auction items are just a way to raise money for the cause. At a gala, the items really are not meant literally to be “worth” dollar-for-dollar the winning bid. It’s like bidding to meet a celebrity or tickets to a show, Same thing.

I’m so annoyed with people who have these preconceived and generalized ideas about shelter dogs… They come in all shapes and sizes and ages and personalities. I’ve had cats and dogs both pure-bred from the breeder and from the shelter and I prefer the pets I got from the shelter… They are so much sweeter and more appreciative of getting rescued. You can even find all specific breeds from rescue organizations, so the need for allergy free dogs can be met without going through a breeder. Please do an internet search for one of these dogs and try to find a rescue instead of creating more purebred demand by going through a breeder.

goldendoodles were actually originally bred to be guide dogs for people with allergies. In fact, 29 of the original 31 dogs bred became service dogs. These dogs are great service dogs. This is not the situation here, obviously, but everyone should be aware of the history of the breed.

Mike, the Golden/Standard Poodle (plus other breeds) mix was an experiment to produce hypoallergenic dogs for guide dog work. It failed. Miserably. The originator of the cross has gone on record saying he wishes he’d never even thought of it.

So-called designer dogs are nothing but cash-cows for their irresponsible breeders who take advantage of the gullible. Because no decent breeder would allow their well-bred dogs to be used in such an operation, the dogs used to produce these crosses are of poor quality, and are therefore far more prone to health and behavioral issues, producing offspring far more prone to health and behavioral issues.

All that aside, NO responsible breeder or shelter or rescue would EVER allow a dog to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

So this charity fails on two accounts: the auction itself and the promotion of the result of poor breeding practices.

It is sad that breeders have such a bad wrap. If we didn’t have breeders, slowly but surely all pure breed dogs would be gone. Wouldn’t it be crazy to see “Brown Labradors” on the extinction list? I know their are bad breeders out there and puppy mills but that is true with every business in the world. Breeders are not bad, shelters are not bad. People who do not breed should have their pets spayed and neutered-those pets that have not been are the cause of overpopulation.

The whole reason there are shelter animals is because of irresponsible humans. Either people didn’t spay and neuter their pets and they ended up with pups and kittens they couldn’t care for, or the animals were rescued from inhumane owners. What we should be pushing for are more strident laws for pet owners so that no pets end up in shelters at all.

Breeders, and bred animals are not the problem. If we’re to keep animals as pets, they should originate from the best and most controlled of environments. Not puppy mills, mind you, but from responsible, knowledgable breeders.

I think the argument that people should get shelter pets instead of bred pets implies a tolerance for the type of human misconduct that leads to shelter pets. What we should be doing is encouraging animal education instead–something good breeders already possess.